CMS II Rheumatology E1 Practice Exam

Osteoporosis can be driven by an identifiable cause or by aging and hormonal changes alone. When bone loss occurs because of another disease, a genetic mutation, medications, or lifestyle factors such as smoking or alcohol use, this is secondary osteoporosis. These factors directly alter bone remodeling: certain drugs like glucocorticoids reduce bone formation and can increase bone resorption; diseases that affect hormone balance or nutrient absorption accelerate bone loss; and smoking or alcohol disrupt calcium handling and bone turnover. Primary osteoporosis, by contrast, stems mainly from aging and menopause-related hormonal changes without an external cause. The description given—diseases, genetic mutations, drugs, smoking, or alcohol use—fits secondary osteoporosis best.